10 July 2010: The Rockets Red Glare

So we were a little late in playing with our fireworks this year! Here are some cool sparkler pictures - they were my favorite as a kid and still are a lot of fun!

23 May 2010: Philly Favorites

Bill had never been to Philly before and when I asked him if he wanted to do anything or see anything, of course he said...Philly Cheesesteak. So off we went to South St to find Jim's which was the suggestion of one of the locals we met at the wedding. I also went to Reading Terminal, the Italian Market and drove by the famous Rocky steps. He had a full Philly experience in the few hours we had in the City of Brotherly Love.

We met this man in the picture above as we were walking around and I asked to take his picture. He said sure, do you want me with or without the horns. I said with of course but I didn't see the hat and thought he was talking about horn as in trumpet or something since he was sitting in front of a music store. I was even happier when he pulled out the Viking horns!

18 March 2010: Green With Envy

Another one of Bill's "green man" carvings. In celebration of spring yet again. You will find a bit more about the green man from a previous post: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/02/23-february-2009-photo-green-man.html

12 March 2010: Guardian Of The Beer

Bill likes statues, gargoyles, stonework, etc. I am not sure what this one is celebrating with his bottle of champagne but he is guarding Bill's "beer fridge" in the garage!

8 March 2010: All Day Long You'll Have Good Luck!

I guess it was a good thing that I picked up this penny I found. I got a call from Bill telling me that his brakes went out in the truck while he was driving to work. What?!?! Luckily, all was fine and the brakes did not go out completely...he just had to push them all the way down to the floor to stop! A few hundred bucks later and all is fine...I guess I better start finding more pennies, dimes, dollars to pay for the new brake line.

14 February 2010: My Funny Valentine

Hopefully taking my flowers for a photo shoot in the snow will not harm them. Happy VD to you and yours!

17 January 2010: I'm A MAC

Well I finally did it. I bought my first computer EVER. It is hard to believe that I have never owned a computer but instead used work computers or Bill's computers. Now I am the proud owner of my new imac and I LOVE IT! You know you are jealous!

This photo was taken with Photo Booth to make us Warholesque!

21 December 2009 Photo: Turkey Bling

Bill went to the grocery store yesterday to pick up a few things - one of which was turkey deli meat. While I was making a sandwich today, I looked at the package and was confused. Why was this turkey $37!?!?! I opened the package looking for some BLING! Certainly there must be something gold or shiny in there for $75/lb. NOPE...ONLY turkey in there! I asked Bill if this was a mistake that was corrected when he checked out...NOPE! According to the receipt, he was, in fact, charged 37 bucks for 1/2 lb of turkey.

Off he went back to P&C to get the extra $33 back. Now, if you live in Central NY, you know that P&C is on the brink of bankruptcy and has been in the news for the last week about whether or not they will be bought by another company or closed for good. Maybe this is a new tactic...charge 10x the amount on deli meat to make some extra cash! This is why I shop at Wegmans!

3 December 2009 Photo(s) & Video: The Pillow Thief

So after a 15 hour day yesterday, I decided I was too tired to drive all the way home. I stopped in MA at a Holiday Inn & Suites at 10PM, crutched in to see if they had a room...checked in, went to my room, called Bill and fell asleep after watching Criminal Minds. Slept straight through until 6AM (late for me, if you know me), got up, washed up (didn't even take a shower or take the complimentary shampoo) and was out of the room before 7AM, grabbed breakfast and checked out. I even returned the key to the desk because there was a message posted on the desk when I checked in that said "Please return the key to the desk or leave it in the room. New technology is expensive." The key was the new fangled wave it in front of the door and it opens deals.

So...fast forward to returning home at 10:30AM after making my way through driving rain. Happy to be home, I unpacked the car (while on crutches) and started doing some follow up from my school visit yesterday. At 11:39AM I received call, since the phone was in the other room, I could not get to it in time to answer it. And how happy I am about that because now you can listen to the message. Thanks to Bill for doing the video.

In full disclosure...this is not a picture of that hotel in question and I have edited out her name and number to protect the not so tactful GM.

I was LIVID. Really did she just call me a PILLOW THIEF???? And tell me she was going to report me to the authorities??? I told the General Manager when I called her back that I had no idea what she was talking about and that I did not steal her 4 "soft" pillows. I explained to her that I arrived at 10PM last night and did not leave the room until I checked out at 7AM. I saw her at the front desk when I left and asked her is she remembered the person leaving on crutches. She said she did. I said did you see any pillows on me. All I had was a backpack with my computer and toiletry bag. She said, I don't know what to tell you. Wait, maybe I threw them out the window and drove around back to pick them up. Now, I know I am soft and fluffy and I wish I could blame my extra fluffiness on 4 "soft" pillows stuffed down my pants but alas, I cannot tell a lie - it is just me.

I asked her if she checked to see how many times I entered the room? I know she can do this because the "new technology" allows you to check a log to see entrances. I just watched Criminal Minds and they did it last night. Wait...maybe they could see I watched that show and that is why she called me a pillow thief! HMMMM!!!!

Anyway, I said I didn't take your pillows and I don't know why they had disappeared and maybe she needed to get new glasses or double check her new fangled fancy technology. I also informed her that if this charge is added to my bill there will be a problem. She said "fine"...WHAT?? what does that mean. She told me she can't promise me anything. I said you are the GM, who is going to make that decision??? She said she would have to investigate it further and I said I would appreciate a call back when she is done with her investigation.... No word back yet - I have Garcia, Hotch and the gang on speed dial (sub-reference to Criminal Minds for those who don't watch that show).

So I have taken some pictures of the pillows in my house and if said hotel spots one of their "soft" pillows, please feel free to come pick it up. As I was taking one of the pictures, Mona stepped in front of the pillows...she likes "soft" pillows and she looks kind of guilty. Maybe I will send in her paw prints into the authorities so she can be cleared or accused as deemed appropriate.

26 November 2009 Photo(s): Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday to my sister Anne Marie.

Bill and I don't always come to RI for Thanksgiving but decided to make the trek this year. I am glad we did. It was a fabulous day and the only thing missing was the birthday girl. My family is crazy and loud but I wouldn't trade them for anything. Here is the yearly picture of the "dead end kids" minus one. My oldest nephew left and was supposed to come by but he never did so I will have to photoshop him in at some point.

Before dinner, Bill and I took Angelee down to the beach..here is one of Angelee and Uncle Butterscotch, which is what she affectionately calls him.

19 November 2009 Photo: A Few Of Bill's Favorite Things

Rainy weather made me look for a picture in the house. I snapped a shot some of Bill's favorite things...books, pubs and Guinness.

7 October 2009 Photo: My Personal Poet

October 7th, 2005 was our wedding day and four years later my amazing husband surprised me with a beautiful poem and gifts. It was the perfect ending to a VERY long day. I was still traveling for work and got home just before midnight to this freshly painted box filled with leaves, our wedding vows framed, a poem and other gifts. Bill was at work and I was in tears because it was so heartwarming.

autumn leaves

whisper and dance

like two leaves from different trees we fell

winds of fate blew us together

like two seeds of fire

spiraling...smoldering

leaves of autumn

shades of red and yellow

aflame

two lives...two seeds

bursting into autumnal bloom

falling together

in love

we whisper...smile

and

dance

-william hartman 10/07/09

6 October 2009 Photo(s): Cheers To Bill

As I was driving along the back roads of Maine, I came across a Flea Market that had hundreds of bottles of all sizes and colors. It made for some good photographs. Also, today is Bill's birthday so I raise a glass to him and say cheers and I love you!

3 October 2009 Photo(s): Perfect Fall Day

After a VERY long week on the road and being sick, I finally had a day free to spend with Bill. We went to the Farmers Market, went to see a fellow photo enthusiasts show at a local coffee shop and then we went wandering about the area near our house. The trees are still not in full peak but we found some great photos around the Jamesville Reservoir, Fiddlers Green Park and the side of the road (while trying not to get hit by passing cars). It was a wonderful afternoon with my wonderful husband!

3 April 2009 Photo: Two Cool Dudes

So technically this picture was taken late last night (not quite April 3rd) but close enough and I just could not let this classic photo go without making it the photo of the day. Bill and "Lady" Liberty were chillin' in Time Square. A week in NYC is just not complete without a cheesy touristy photo.

28 March 2009 Photo: Dog and Cat Tails

Mona, Bill and I went for a walk this morning down to the park. It is a warm day today and the lake is finally all thawed. Mona went in and took her first dip of the season but it only last a few seconds because I imagine the water is still pretty cold.

The cat tails are spreading their seeds and getting ready for the new season to begin. So as not be to outdone by the cat, Mona also felt the need to spread her seeds all over the park as well by marking her territory.

23 February 2009 Photo: Green Man

This is one of Bill's Green Man carvings. These are another set of items that I never paid much attention to until I met him. Now I notice them everywhere.

From wikipedia, "The Green Man motif has many variations. Found in many cultures around the world, the Green Man is often related to natural vegetative deities springing up in different cultures throughout the ages. Primarily it is interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, or "renaissance," representing the cycle of growth each spring. Some speculate that the mythology of the Green Man developed independently in the traditions of separate ancient cultures and evolved into the wide variety of examples found throughout history."

I am ready for the rebirth and for spring so get busy Green Men around the world. It's time for a new cycle of growth!

30 January 2009 Photo: These Are The People In Our Neighborhood

We live in a suburb in Central NY and it is very small town with only a few stores/restaurants. One of the places we have been frequenting since the day we moved here is Robbie T's Pizza. Robbie T is one of the friendliest people we've ever met and always has a smile on his face and a gregarious hello when you walk in the door. He is very active in the community and everyone loves him.

I decided to employ my husband to be the guest photographer for the day since he was going to get the pizza and I wanted to start doing some pictures of the people in our neighborhood in the blog from time to time. I have been schooling Bill in how to take a good picture almost since we met so I knew I could trust him to get me a good photo of Robbie. He came back with great picture of him and a couple of his staff. So if you are ever in the area, stop by Robbie T's and have a slice!